Wednesday, September 02, 2015

It’s on: Jeb Bush embraces a risky fight with Donald Trump

Republicans said the dilemma for Bush is obvious. If he hangs back, voters may conclude he is weak. If he attacks, he engages a candidate who has proved to be an effective counterpuncher. For now, the conclusion in the Bush campaign is that appearing weak is the greater risk.

Other candidates are letting Bush and Trump squabble while continuing to try to build support for their campaigns in traditional ways. For some, the absence of attention is considered beneficial right now, as none of the others want to get into a public fight with Trump.

“We’ve gotten out our popcorn. It’s wonderful,” said a strategist for a rival campaign, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter frankly. “I don’t think it’ll work.”

Although Bush remains the GOP establishment favorite, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker could emerge as alternatives if Bush struggles. Kasich is rising in the polls in New Hampshire, Walker is seeking a campaign reboot and Rubio has stuck to casting himself as a new-generation candidate while mostly avoiding the fights that have consumed Trump and Bush.